Are you in a reading rut? Do you need a push to turn off the TV and open more books? Or are you feeling compelled to try a wider variety of titles? Then take one of these reading challenges that have been created to get us excited about reading. The Goodreads 2016 Reading Challenge: When…
“I was lonely. Lonely was the first flavor I had tasted in my life, and it was always there, hidden inside the crevices of my mouth, reminding me.” Lucy Barton grew up dirt poor, was abused by her father and ostracized by most in her small farming community of Amgash, Illinois. With help from some…
Want to know what nonfiction books got the top marks in 2015? You're in luck! I’ve compiled seven of what I think are the best lists and found what titles rose to the top. I used the lists from Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, Kirkus Reviews, Booklist, The New York Times, The Washington Post and Amazon.…
This time of year hundreds of lists touting the best books of 2015 are released. It can be a bit overwhelming, but no worries, dear reader. I’ve compiled eight of what I think are the best lists and found what titles rose to the top. I used the lists from Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, Kirkus…
Before the dominance of chains and big box stores, most people did their shopping in town, at a store that was generally owned by an individual, not a corporation. Even before Jewel came to Libertyville, there was Triggs & Taylor Grocery. From 1892 until 1942, Triggs & Taylor was the place in town to get your groceries.…
Not much is known about Lizzie Burns, an illiterate Irishwoman who was the long-time partner of the German philosopher and social scientist Friedrich Engels. But thanks to the debut novel by Gavin McCrea, Burns comes to life in an entertaining and spirited story. McCrea said in an interview that he first ran across…
Hollywood is certainly into space travel these days. You may have heard about a certain little movie about galaxies far, far away that is set to open this week? It has been a long wait for Star Wars fans, but the new Star Wars: The Force Awakens is finally here, and in all likelihood will…
I’ll admit it straight out –I have a bit of fondness for some of Shonda Rhimes’ television shows, which made me want to pick up her new book Year of Yes. Year of Yes is Shonda reflecting on the year she spent saying “yes!” to everything that scared her. She faces her fears head on…
Bill Hodges has recently retired from a long career as a highly decorated police detective and to say that retirement doesn’t agree with him would be quite an understatement. So when someone claiming to be the Mercedes Killer, the one big case he never cracked, contacts him, he feels he must follow the trail. The…
It’s time once again for my fifth annual Holiday Reads blog post. This is my attempt to spread holiday cheer by recommending heartwarming books with happy endings. Who wants to read anything depressing in December? It’s Christmastime! So here we go. The Gift of a Charm by Melissa Hill Irish author Hill creates a romantic,…
